There are two couples with us from Steamboat Springs who are very new to this sport. They found yesterday to be intimidating. So one Jeep starts out with us today, but has to leave the group early on due to mechanical problems.
The drive up Cumberland Pass is mostly dirt road and easy, climbing to 12,000 feet. It takes us thru two tiny mining towns -- Tin Cup and Pitkin . At Pitkin we turn onto Hancock Pass Road and it becomes very narrow and rocky. This road used to be the old railroad bed that led to the Alpine Tunnel. We pass by two old water towers and a side loop that stills has the RR ties and rails. This road really feels like a railroad track due to the narrowness of it. At the end we stop and walk up to what is left of the Alpine Tunnel which collapsed in 1910. They are doing some amazing restoration work here. Hancock Pass was at 12,140 feet.
We back track a short distance to take the road over Williams Pass. This road is only open to travelers in August. Partly due to the wetness of the meadow we cross and partly to preserve this meadow. It is a beautiful trek but torturous. We go thru lots of mud and over some very large boulders. We banged our Jeep pretty hard several times but no damage. One Jeep got stuck! But it was lots of fun! And guess what? We went all day without the ominous red warning light coming on in our Jeep.
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